The Supreme Court considered the special determination petitions on the Bill titled "Theravada Bhikku Kathikawath (Registration) Act" yesterday and concluded arguments put forward in support and against the bill.

All parties involved in the petitions were directed to file their written submissions on February 1.

The Supreme Court's determination over the proposed Bill will then be communicated to the Speaker.

The Attorney General's Department informed Court that provisions of Section 13 (2) (b) of the Bill regarding the colour of robe of the Bikkhus will be removed from the Bill.

Section 13 (2) (b) stated that the minister may make regulations to specify the colour of the robe to be used by the bhikkus as determined by the Mahanayaka Theras of the three Nikaya.

However, lawyers appearing on behalf of the petitioners cited Section 11 of the bill as the most dangerous clause of the bill. This Section notes that a Bhikku who shall be guilty of an offence under this act could be liable to a fine not less than Rs.50,000 or an imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both such fine and imprisonment.

This petitions had been filed by Shasanika Secretary of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Biyagama Suseela Thera and Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Ballantudawa. Through their petitions, the petitioners argue that the Fundamental Rights of the Bhikkus are being violated by the bill.

The Theravadi Kathikavath (Registration) Bill has been opposed by a considerable number of Buddhist monks, and President Maithripala Sirisena acknowledged that the government made a mistake in introducing it to Parliament with no prior consultation with the Mahanayakas of the Three Nikayas.